Caramel Apple Cheesecake - decadent and indulgent cheesecake with caramel apple topping. Rich and creamy and absolutely amazing!
I love making my Orange Cranberry Cheesecake for Christmas, my Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars for Easter and this dessert for Thanksgiving.
Cheesecake - my first true love when it comes to dessert. The very first one I learned how to make, the first dessert I made for my Hubby and the one I always make for special occasions. Like holidays. It's a creamy, silky cheesecake topped with caramelized apples and caramel sauce. One decadent cheesecake for the fall season. Or any time you want a caramel apple dessert. Each bite is a pure indulgence that melts in your mouth! The apples are sweet and soft but not mushy. A dash of ground nutmeg enhances the caramel and makes the flavors even more pronounced. You may also like my new Easy Microwave Caramels recipe. It's fail-proof!
How to make Caramel Apple Cheesecake?
- Make caramel apples in skillet.
- Prepare a water bath for the cheesecake.
- Make the crust with graham cracker crumbs and bake for a few minutes.
- Make the cheesecake filling, bake in the oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Once done, cool completely for at least 4 hours.
- Arrange caramel apples on top and drizzle with caramel sauce.
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Kitchen tools needed:
- springform pan
- 2 mixing bowls
- hand mixer
- spatula
- cast iron skillet
- roasting pan or baking pan with a rim
- aluminum foil
More cheesecake recipes:
- Instant Pot Cherry Delight Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Funfetti Cheesecake Bars
- How to make a perfect cheesecake?
For more easy, decadent dessert recipes, feel free to browse our Dessert Category.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Ingredients
!for the caramel apples:
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 medium apples (I like to mix them: 2 Gala apples 2 Granny Smith apples), washed, cored, sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves or nutmeg
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
!for the crust:
- 1 and ½ cup finely crushed graham crackers
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
!for the filling:
- 3 pkg 8-ounce each of cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 3 well-beaten eggs
Instructions
!to make the caramel apples:
- Melt butter in cast iron skillet.
- Add apple slices.
- Sprinkle the apple slices with cinnamon and cloves.
- cook until soft but not mushy.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar and cream.
- Pour over apples.
- Bring to bubbly over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat. Spoon out the apple slices onto a bowl or plate. Cool to room temperature.
- Pace the skillet with caramel sauce back on the heat and cook until thickens, about 2 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes. Pour into a heat-proof jar. Cool to room temperature.
!to make the cheesecake:
- Wrap a 8" or 9" springform pan in aluminum foil and set in a roasting pan.
- Boil 2 cups of water. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
!to make the crust:
- Place graham crackers in food processor and process until finely crushed.
- Add sugar and melted butter and process on low until all comes together.
- Press the crust into a 9" springform pan.
- Bake for 7 minutes in preheated oven.
- Set aside.
!to make the filling:
- Place cream cheese in food processor and process on low. Process for 15 seconds. Increase the speed to high and process for 5 seconds until smooth.
- Add sugar and process on low until combined.
- Add flour, yogurt, vanilla, spices and milk and process on low until smooth.
- Add eggs and process on low until completely incorporated.
- Pour the batter over baked crust. Tap the roasting pan on the counter few times (gentlto release any air bubbles from the batter.
- Place the pan with the springform pan in the oven. Pour enough water into the roasting pan to come at least 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan but not over the foil.
- Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes. Replace water after first 50 minutes of baking.
- When the times is up, turn of the oven leaving the cheesecake inside for one hour. Leave the oven door slightly ajar.
- Cool the cheesecake completely on the counter.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- When chilled completely, spoon the skillet caramel sauce over the cheesecake and spread evenly. Top with apple slices arranging them in a pattern. Sprinkle with a dahs of ground cloves.
- Slice and serve.
- Refrigerate any leftovers in a closed container, for up to 3 days.
Tanya Schroeder says
I'm loving that drippy caramel!
Anna says
It's the best! 😀
Chelsea says
This is seriously the best cheesecake combination ever!! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Anna says
Thanks, Chelsea!
Alli says
I'm loving this cheesecake recipe. It is so good!
Anna says
Thank you, Alli!
Billy says
OMG, this cake seriously sounds like the best dessert of all time, and best part is that it's a cheesecake!
Anna says
Thanks so much, Billy!
Corrine says
I am so excited...this is the first cheesecake I have ever made and found the tips so helpful! One question, did you refrigerate your caramel apples overnight too and then heat up before dressing the cheesecake. And do you leave caramel out overnight or refrigerate and reheat?
Thanks for the awesome recipe....will get to taste tomorrow!
Lapinka says
Delicious 🙂 My friends love it!
Danielle says
Wow! This looks like the absolute perfect way to enjoy dessert at Thanksgiving. This is seriously going onto my list of must-make desserts!
Thalia says
Words cannot describe how badly I am craving a slice of this cheesecake to devour right now.. it looks incredible! Especially loving all the caramel drizzle going on. Pinned!
themessybakerblog says
I love that you created your own holiday. Feel free to make me part of the family at any time. This cheesecake is stunning!
Katerina says
Damn!! Gurrrrl! Where you live? I'll be right ovah!!
Amanda says
Amazing! I'm loving everything about this!
Cookin Canuck says
That is one gorgeous cheesecake! And I love the idea of a Family Fun Day.
Tori says
Oh,my, I love cheesecake! and Apple Pie too!? Yum!
hipfoodiemom says
I LOVE the idea of an Annual Family Day!!! What a great idea. . I love that so much!! and I'm with you, let's celebrate with some apple love right now. . we just picked up a big bag at an apple orchard close by. . love this cheesecake!! so beautiful!
wearenotmartha says
Such a stunning cheesecake!! That caramel dripping is mouth-watering 🙂
Sues
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Sues!
Rachel says
So amazing!!! My husband (the biggest cheesecake fan in this house) would love it! And I love the idea of a family day. Better to schedule a day out than wing it sometimes 🙂
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Rachel!